When Religion Bleeds the valley of Pahalgam

It was the year 2016 at the end of the summer holidays.

And I still remember when papa, maa along with some of my relatives returned from the Kashmir trip, I was sitting in the corner with my frowned eyes. 

I was angry because they didn't take me and my elder brother to jammu & kashmir which is called as the heaven on the earth.

But that anger soon turned into tears as soon as papa told us something that shook me from inside. 

They had open firing and pelting of stones on their tourist van. Everyone lied down under the seat protecting themselves. The window pane got smashed. Thankfully Indian military was quick to respond at that time. They controlled the chaos and rescued them to a safer place near a military camp.

He then added "I didn't take you there for a reason. it's not safe there. Things are not under control." 

As he spoke, my heart sank. Each word painted a scary scene infront of my eyes. The thought of what could have happened gripped me with silent fear but was happy seeing them safe.

Yes, I was numb. 

Still, a part of me silently whispered a wish - Maybe someday, things will get better. Maybe someday, I’ll walk those valleys too… safely, freely, and and will capture those serene view in my eyes.

Then comes the historic day. 

It was August 5, 2019, India witnessed a moment that would mark a turning point in its political and constitutional history. The central government announced the abrogation of Article 370 - a special provision that had granted autonomy to the state of Jammu & Kashmir for over seven decades.

It was announced with a promise: perhaps a new era of peace, unity, and development. The region, often called “heaven on earth,” was now expected to move beyond decades of conflict and uncertainty. Atleast we hoped ! 

Soon that little hope for peace and unity we had was crumbled beneath the religion, drowning it once again in the bloodshed of terror.

April 22, 2025, the town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir which has a serene view, soon that beauty was stained with blood of several civilians by a brutal terrorist attack. This attack claimed the lives of at least 26 tourists and injured many.

I still have that picture infront of my eyes where a woman was sitting next to her lifeless husband in silence.

I couldn't imagine the pain and trauma she was going through. 

There are many such civilians & little children who came to embrace nature’s calm, who had a wish like me to go & experience the serenity of the heaven of the earth but were instead caught in the throes of terror.

But who will tell them that yes, there are some animals who reside in the valley too.

Who will tell them that this heaven is tainted by demons and creatures who raise arms and commit genocide in the name of religion and division.

Who will tell them?

How can someone be so timid , insecure & blinded by faith to attack civilians. 

I guess, No religion could ever say to take arms, choose violence and if they say so , then I am sorry that is not a RELIGION and can never be.

A religion guide you in the darkness and show you to the light. It helps you to differentiate between right and wrong and hold you upright. 

In a world where religion is meant to bring us closer, it is being used as a weapon to divide, to hate, and to kill.

This wasn’t the first time. But how many more times must we bleed before we learn?

Before pulling the trigger, She was asked one question — “What is your religion?

When the bullet tears through skin, does it choose based on faith?

Or when the blood spills on the soil, does it flow differently?

Blood has no religion

It’s all red. Always red.

And in that color, there’s no Hindu, Muslim, Christian, or Sikh.

But in that ill mindset there's one thing: Hatered.

Hate so deep that it blinds you to the humanity you claim to protect.

You hide behind the lies of faith while spilling innocent blood, knowing nothing of compassion, of empathy, or of what it means to be human. 

You claim to fight for a cause, but all you bring is death and genocide.

we will not stay silent any longer.

Had enough of your bloodshed in the name of false ideologies.

We will fight back.

We will fight with the strength of truth, the force of unity, and the rage that justice demands. 

हां, एक बार फिर तुमने एक सोय शेर को ललकारा है...

और अब तुम उसकी खौ़फनाक दहाड़ सुनोगे....!!